Brandon Sorensen Diagnosed With Leukemia

There was some sad news out of Iowa City this week for the Iowa wrestling program: former Hawkeye wrestler Brandon Sorensen has been diagnosed with diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Iowa head coach Tom Brands announced the news:

Sorensen went to the E.R. the day after Thanksgiving for treatment for flu-like symptoms. While there the doctors ran tests on him and diagnosed him with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Sorensen himself is preparing to battle cancer with all the tenacity and drive to win that he brought to the wrestling mat for Iowa as a four-year starter from 2015-18.

“I am prepared to beat this disease, and there is no wait. The challenge is right in front of me and I am all-in. I know I am not alone in this fight. I have the very best doctors, resources, and family you could possibly hope for, and I know that we will beat this.”

Fuck cancer. A cancer diagnosis is truly awful news for anyone, but especially for a healthy, active young athlete like Sorensen. His fight against cancer will involve at least 18 months of chemotherapy, as well as other treatment. Unfortunately, Sorensen is set to lose his health insurance in nine months. Sorensen's family has started a GoFundMe page to help with the cost of his expected medical expenses. The heartwarming news is that in less than a week the page has already generated over $100,000 in donations; you can donate here. The wrestling community truly looks out for its own.

We wish Sorensen the absolute best in his battle with cancer. This is terrible news, but we're rooting for you to beat the hell out of cancer, Brandon.